I can't tell here whether it's true or not but many complain about it getting worse around COVID. I moved during it so it's hard to tell but it's pretty bad. It's annoying to always have to look at the pavement while walking around.

I remember this being somewhat of an issue as a kid in the same area but it's hard to gauge how it's changed because I was a kid then and a parent now.

I'm in the NW in the UK.